Is tap water safe in Syracuse?

EPA SDWIS reports 1 active health-based violation record(s) among systems associated with this ZIP. Review your utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.

How hard is the water in Syracuse, NY?

Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 175 ppm (10.2 grains per gallon), classified as hard. This is not a tap measurement.

Do I need a water softener in ZIP code 13204?

At 175 ppm, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale buildup and hard-water spotting. Treatment for hardness does not remove all health-related contaminants.

City water profile

Syracuse water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Syracuse, New York.

Median indexed hardness

158PPM

12 indexed ZIPs

Range 99.4–175 PPM

State comparison: 38 PPM above
State hardness rank: #15 of 55
Matched utilities: 1
Active health records: 1

City summary

What the indexed records say

Syracuse has 12 published ZIP profiles across Onondaga County. The indexed median is 158 PPM, compared with 120 PPM across New York.

Among the 55 New Yorkcities with an indexed median, Syracuse ranks #15from highest to lowest. Across all 132 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 7.2to 290 PPM.

The 99.4–175 PPM range shows how much the available ZIP estimates vary within the city label.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft0 ZIPs

Moderately hard4 ZIPs

Hard8 ZIPs

Very hard0 ZIPs

12 of 12 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance: 3.2 miles
Profiles with evidence: 12/12

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 12Low: 0

Observation window: Jan 21, 2016 to Sep 16, 2025.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Syracuse

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

13202

Hard

171 PPM

Nearest site: 1.9 mi
Confidence: Moderate

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ZIP code

13203

Moderately Hard

119 PPM

Nearest site: 2.1 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13204

Hard

175 PPM

Nearest site: 0.5 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13205

Hard

171 PPM

Nearest site: 4.2 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13206

Moderately Hard

109.2 PPM

Nearest site: 2.3 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13207

Hard

175 PPM

Nearest site: 3.2 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13208

Hard

132 PPM

Nearest site: 0.8 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13210

Moderately Hard

99.4 PPM

Nearest site: 3.4 mi
Confidence: Moderate

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ZIP code

13215

Hard

175 PPM

Nearest site: 5.3 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13224

Moderately Hard

99.4 PPM

Nearest site: 4.1 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13244

Hard

145 PPM

Nearest site: 3.9 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

13290

Hard

171 PPM

Nearest site: 1.1 mi
Confidence: Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Syracuse City

PWSID NY3304334

Surface water

System population served: 192,000
Last reported: Jun 25, 2026

A municipal system, in-state city, and served county all agree with this Census ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

1 unique active health-based record appears among associated systems. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

Record	System	Period	Status
Revised Total Coliform Rule	NY3304334	Mar 30, 2026	Unaddressed
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule	NY3304334	Mar 30, 2025	Unaddressed · health-based
Surface Water Treatment Rule	NY3304334	Mar 1, 2025	Archived · health-based
Revised Total Coliform Rule	NY3304334	Sep 29, 2024	Archived
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule	NY3304334	Jun 1, 2024	Resolved · health-based
Surface Water Treatment Rule	NY3304334	Jan 1, 2024	Resolved · health-based
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule	NY3304334	Jan 1, 2024	Archived · health-based
Surface Water Treatment Rule	NY3304334	Jan 1, 2024	Resolved · health-based
Surface Water Treatment Rule	NY3304334	Apr 1, 2023	Resolved · health-based
Surface Water Treatment Rule	NY3304334	Mar 1, 2023	Resolved · health-based

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Continue comparing

Other New York communities

Schenectady

Schenectady County

161 PPM median

Hurley

Ulster County

162 PPM median

Corning

Steuben County

138 PPM median

Cambridge

Washington County

132 PPM median

Auburn

Cayuga County

188 PPM median

Fulton

Oswego County

191 PPM median

Search all 55 New York cities →

Questions people ask

About water in Syracuse

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 158 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.